DOUG RANDLE - SONGS FOR THE NEW INDUSTRIAL STATE (KANATA/CBC 1970)

A stunning collection of songs for and about the time we live in from the Canadian musician. Though the album was originally released in 1971, it's musical themes sound modern and timeless nearly 40 years after the album's original release. Songs was an introspective look at ever-dominant corporations, the cutthroat advertising world, our consumer society, decaying environment, and his own personal condition. The results crossed the epic studio creations of David Axelrod's Capitol output with Free Design vocal harmonies from notable vocalists Tommy Ambrose and Laurie Bower.
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This unique and curious piece of work from Canadian composer and arranger Doug Randle represents a song cycle based upon a dystopian vision of our consumerist future (or rather, our present). Each song cradles its barbed message within a package of sweet vocal harmonies and the kind of big band arrangements that would rival David Axelrod's output. "Doug was, and still is, a writer, arranger, musician, and conductor with roots deep in the Canadian jazz scene of the 1950s. After a lengthy spell working in England during the first half of the 1960s, he returned to Toronto and took up an in-house position at the government sanctioned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), where in 1970 he recorded his very own What's Going On. Commercially released by the short-lived Kanata Records label, Songs was an introspective look at ever-dominant corporations, the cutthroat advertising world, our consumer society, decaying environment, and his own personal condition."[boomkat]
A Great Pop-Psych Album...don't miss it!

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MILLER ANDERSON - BRIGHT CITY (DERAM 1971) Kor mastering cardboard sleeve

Songwriter, vocalist and guitarist Anderson first came to promenance in the late 60s as a member of the jazz/rock unit the Keef Hartley Band. Anderson grew in stature as a member of that band and was present for five albums. He was signed by Deram as a solo artist and released one credible album, Bright City, in 1971. Many of his former Hartley sidemen were present on the album, including record producer Neil Slaven. Junior Campbell arranged some exquisite strings for the title track and there was beautiful flute from Lynn Dobson on ‘Shadows ’Cross My Wall’. Following this album Anderson formed Hemlock with James Leverton (bass) and Eric Dillon (drums), who made one album with Deram. Anderson teamed up with Hartley in 1974 as Dog Soldier and also had spells with Savoy Brown, Canned Heat and T. Rex. He continues to perform regularly in the UK and Europe and in the mid-90s the re-release of his album on CD, together with a reissued Hartley catalogue, indicated that his star was in the ascendant. His present solo act features an excellent version of Bob Dylan’s ‘Copper Kettle’, but his finest moment is a blistering acoustic version of ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’; his voice on this track can strip wallpaper and break lightbulbs. In 1997 Anderson was touring with a revamped version of the Spencer Davis Group.[Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin.]
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JOE SOAP - KEEP IT CLEAN (POLYDOR 1973) Kor mastering cardboard sleeve

Joe Soap was a band comprised of John Tennent and David Morrison. Their second album, "Keep It Clean" (as Joe Soap) (Polydor 1973) featured Jimmy McCulloch (guitar, Stone the Crows) Jerry Conway (drums, later in Jethro Tull) and Mike Kaminski (violin, from ELO).
The album features ten tracks composed by John and David with help of Sandy Robertson (producer). Two guys with rather thick but fascinating voices diffuse strong masculine beauty in all tracks. In addition to it, a mastermind violinist Mike Kaminski's scattering violin features on most of the tracks especially on Feel Strange and On The Wing are just superb. Jimmy McCulloch's intense guitar domains on every track as well. Overall, the album is an awesome combo set of typical British rock classics with strong American southern rock flavor.
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John Tennent and David Morrison's second and last effort (as JOE SOAP) after the first album released previous year. With support of best British studio musicians, Keep It Clean slightly differs from Tennent & Morrison. Backing up piercing electric guitar and intense violin, the album is way solid but it also has thick and moody moments appeared on the first album. First time on CD. Paper Sleeve Mini Vinyl LP Replica with OBI, Liner Note Included, 24 Bit Digital Remastering.
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